The FCC found for a second year that broadband is not being “reasonably and timely” deployed to Americans in its Section 706 broadband competition report, released by the commission late Friday. “One-third of Americans do not subscribe to broadband, even when it’s available,” the report found. “This suggests that barriers to adoption -- such as cost, low digital literacy, and concerns about privacy -- remain too high.” The problem is at its worst among low-income Americans, blacks, Hispanics, seniors and residents of tribal areas, the report said. The FCC did find that progress is being made. “Despite the difficult economy, the private sector continues to invest tens of billions of dollars in broadband infrastructure each year -- $65 billion in capital expenditures in 2010 alone -- expanding capacity, increasing speeds on fixed networks and rolling out next-generation mobile services like 4G,” the report said.

The FCC Friday extended by 30 days, until June 20, the deadline for nominations for the commission’s reauthorized Intergovernmental Advisory Committee. The committee provides guidance to the commission “on a range of telecommunication issues for which local, state, and Tribal governments explicitly or inherently share responsibility or administration with the Commission,” the FCC said.

The FCC should undertake a “collaborative approach” aimed at finding “tailored solutions satisfying the unique needs and circumstances of those living and working on unserved and underserved Tribal lands,” CTIA said in comments on a notice of proposed rulemaking by the FCC. CTIA agreed with the FCC that the record is clear that telecom services in tribal areas lag behind much of the rest of the country. “Mobile wireless services hold tremendous potential to close that gap,” the group said. “Estimates indicate that 80 percent of the overall population on Tribal lands is covered by current generation (3G) wireless technologies, which permit mobile voice and Internet services. Yet, this level of availability trails behind the nationwide average and challenges persist.” More-flexible buildout deadlines for licensees serving tribal land, service and technical rules flexibility and enhancements to the Tribal Lands Bidding Credit rules all could help, CTIA suggested. “A one-size-fits-all approach to improving access to wireless services on Tribal lands will not be successful,” the group warned. “Indeed, given the geographic diversity, income disparity, and differences in population density across Native Nations, the obstacles to improving access to wireless services on Tribal lands are not susceptible to a single solution."

Staff in the office of FCC Commissioner Meredith Baker was lobbied on more than a dozen occasions by Comcast, the NCTA, cable company rivals, nonprofit groups and others as she considered a job offer at Comcast, agency records show. Since April 18, when Baker privately recused herself from voting on anything at the FCC (CD May 16 p7), the lawyers who advise her also were visited by executives of AT&T, the CTIA, News Corp., Verizon and other companies and public interest groups. Baker’s not the first FCC member to directly leave for a large company regulated by the agency, though it’s been decades since that’s believed to have last occurred, said several who have long watched the commission.

Staff in the office of FCC Commissioner Meredith Baker was lobbied on more than a dozen occasions by Comcast, the NCTA, cable company rivals, nonprofit groups and others as she considered a job offer at Comcast, agency records show. Since April 18, when Baker privately recused herself from voting on anything at the FCC (WID May 16 p9), the lawyers who advise her also were visited by executives of AT&T, the CTIA, News Corp., Verizon and other companies and public interest groups. Baker’s not the first FCC member to directly leave for a large company regulated by the agency, though it’s been decades since that’s believed to have last occurred, said several who have long watched the commission.

The New York City Police Department urged the FCC to adopt rules that allow multiple regional public networks to develop in the 700 MHz band, in reply comments on a Jan. 25 rulemaking by the commission. The Utilities Telecom Council said there is broad support to expanding the definition of public safety under the Communications Act to include utilities and other critical infrastructure industries (CII).

On May 5, 2011, the Department of Homeland Security issued an intelligence message to its its federal, state, local and tribal partners about alleged al Qaeda plotting in February 2010 against the U.S. rail sector. DHS states that it has no information of any imminent terrorist threat to the U.S. rail sector and it is unclear if any further planning has been conducted since February 2010.

During the April 12, 2011 COAC¹ meeting, a Department of Homeland Security official discussed the agency’s efforts to issue a report on a U.S. global supply chain security strategy for all modes of transportation (air, land, and sea). The report will inform the industry on how the government plans to interact with them, international partners, and foreign governments. It will also help guide and inform budget and program development within each of the federal agencies.

The FCC shouldn’t give tribal entities an unfair advantage in spectrum auctions, NTCH said in response to the commission’s further inquiry on tribal issues related to establishment of a mobility fund. NTCH said it provides service in many rural areas, and is looking at serving tribal lands. “The Further Inquiry proposes to give tribally-owned or controlled providers a preference in the auction,” NTCH said. “This suggestion is well-meaning but misguided. There is no reason to assume that tribes or entities controlled by tribes have any expertise in constructing, operating or maintaining sophisticated wireless networks.” Sometimes “tribes have sophisticated telecom expertise or access to expert consultants,” the carrier said. “But in others, the tribes are no more qualified to construct or operate a mobile communications network than anyone else.” NTCH also opposed giving tribes input in deciding which areas have the highest priority for Mobility Fund access. “At first blush, this proposal seemed to make sense: allow the tribes themselves to identify needy areas,” NTCH said. “But on reflection, this skewing of the process would seem to be an unfair disservice to other needy areas."

The Navajo Nation Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NNTRC) asked for a 15-day extension, until May 31, to file comments on the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority’s (NTUA’s) application to be designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier providing Lifeline service to people living on Navajo lands. NTUA is proposing to provide service in combination with Commnet Wireless. “The NNTRC is using this docket as an avenue for collecting and reviewing public comment on the NTUA Wireless Petition, rather than hold its own proceeding,” the commission said. “As part of its Reply Comments, the NNTRC will issue its findings and order concerning whether the grant of ETC status to NTUA Wireless on the Navajo Nation is consistent with Navajo law, and is in the best interest of the Navajo people.” NTUA said it plans to offer service in an area covering 27,000 square miles, extending into 13 counties in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. “By leveraging existing NTUA resources and partnering with an established wireless service provider, NTUA Wireless will be uniquely positioned to offer competitive retail wireless telecommunications services to underserved areas of the Navajo Nation,” NTUA said in a March filing. NTUA Wireless will provide jobs for members of the Navajo tribe and utilize its expertise in the utility business “to offer a deeper penetration of retail wireless telecommunications service into the Navajo Nation,” it said.